Power in Russia

The Russian News and Information Agency published an interesting piece in its What the Russian papers say section. I have reproduced the article below entitled "Who stands at the top of Russia's power pyramid?" According to a poll, Russians believe that the Russian President Vladimir Putin buttressed by the FSB is the ultimate source of power. The Federal Security Service is an agency that was created after the collapse of the Soviet Union and is the main successor to KGB. What is interesting to note is that "the people" is not listed anywhere in the poll. Simply put, the Russian population sees itself as largely powerless in country's power structure.

According to a poll conducted by the Levada Center, Russians believe Putin and the FSB are the ultimate powers in the country.

People do not understand the principle of the division of power, and do not realize that the executive, legislative and judicial branches must have equal rights.

Russians think that raw power is what rules their country, and so place Putin and security-related bodies at the top of the power hierarchy. The runner-up is money, described in the poll as "oligarchs, bankers and financiers."

It is nice to know that the theory of conspiracy (Zionist or Masonic) is gradually losing ground.

The respondents, who were asked to evaluate the workings of public, political and state institutions, gave top marks to the president. Experts said their opinions are still strongly influenced by television.

"The media have agreed, secretly or openly, that President Putin must not be criticized," said political analyst Dmitry Oreshkin. "That is one of the Kremlin administration's greatest achievements. The economic situation is rather good now, and people tend to thank the president for it."

The FSB and other security-related agencies are given second place. The president's top ranking is based on love, while the prestige of security-related structures rests entirely on fear.

Oreshkin said the media encourage the people to think that Russia is surrounded by enemies bent on undermining its economy.

The armed forces and the government hold third place, closely followed by the prosecutor's office and governors.

The judicial bodies are the outsiders, because Russians do not believe courts can do anything.

"Courts are heavily dependent agencies," a Moscow judge told the popular daily Gazeta. "Judges depend on money and administrative resources, and so seldom pass rulings in favor of ordinary people."

According to the poll, the lower house of parliament (State Duma) and political parties have the least power in the country.